Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum has urged the public to stay home during the three-day Liberation Day holiday weekend. 

Kim made the call in a statement to the public on Friday, asking that people stay home with their families through Monday so that the holiday will serve as an opportunity to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. 

The prime minister called on businesses to observe government recommendations on the percentage of staff that work from home and to thoroughly check employees coming back to the office after the holiday for possible symptoms of the virus. 

While expressing regret for causing concern over supply glitches, Kim said the government will mobilize all means to administer at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to 70 percent of the population before the Chuseok holiday in the latter half of September.

He also said the government will further tighten countermeasures against violations of quarantine regulations. With some organizations announcing that they plan to hold illegal rallies on Liberation Day, Kim said the government will pursue legal action against those responsible in line with relevant laws if they insist on holding the demonstrations.